So often when we think of becoming a better writer or how to write well, our minds will automatically zero in on things like grammar, structure, or the so called  ‘rules’ of writing. My idea of writing well has always been the opposite of these conventional rules so my tips for simple ways to improve your writing may seem rather unconventional, however, they have never failed me and have proven to produce the kind of writing that can deeply move and touch readers at the level of the heart.

1. Meditate or Experience the Beauty of Nature Alone

Our body, mind, and spirit require an immense amount of spaciousness in order to expand. Think about it; we are spirit experiencing a physical existence and spirit is eternal and infinite. Whenever we can offer up to our spirit an opportunity or situation to mimmick that expansiveness here in the physical world, then it’s as though we have set ourselves free, at least temporarily. Have you ever felt a deep sigh escape from your body just as soon as you entered a forest, or stepped onto a nature trail, or strode silently along a beach? That’s your spirit offering its gratitude for giving it room to breathe. In the same way, our writing and creativity thrives on this kind of inner and outer spaciousness.

2. Rise With The Dawn and Write Three Pages of Longhand

I’ve written about this writing practice before and I mention it again as it is simply a brilliant way to detoxify daily and is a method I learned many years ago from the renowned creativity expert and author, Julia Cameron from her book, The Artist’s Way. (highly recommended) I have never come across a better writing practice that can get us so in tune with the mother-lode of genius writing than this one. You can read in more detail about this method in one of my previous posts called, Writing Your Guts Out – A Writer’s Best Medicine.

3. Nourish Your Body – Choose Eating Over Writing

I have a bad habit as a writer, of choosing writing over nourishment. When I get on a roll or am ‘in the flow’ of writing, it seems like nothing can stop me, not even the proper sustenance I need to carry on in an optimum way. I’ve learned though, over the years, that this ‘crash and burn’ madness is not a good thing for the body and is simply not necessary. Our body loves to be loved and cared for, so it’s important to feed it well and regularly with things that make it happy. Studies have shown that it’s not so much what we eat as a meal that contributes to our  sense of well-being, but rather the emotions that we are feeling as we eat the meal.  We all know what it feels like to stuff some fast food down our throats as we rush from one responsibility to another, or as a writer, what it feels like to not eat at all and begin to feel cranky and burnt out. No matter our occupation, what I’ve discovered is how important it is to remember how central enjoying our food is to the authentic and natural enjoyment of life itself, which includes creating the time and leisurely beautiful surroundings in which to deeply enjoy our nourishment. As ‘off the wall’ and unrelated as it may sound to you, when we can care for our body on a regular basis in this way, then we are creating a vital and significant approach to improving our writing.

4. Do One Thing Each Day That Brings You Joy

The feeling of joy originates from within, unlike happiness that tends to be based on things external, like getting a puppy for Christmas or buying a new car. Joy feels like a deep, contented sigh of total harmony where we feel peace in our body, mind, and spirit all at once. We may not remember it, but this is how we felt as babies and in early childhood when all that mattered to us was the love of our caregivers and the warm and safe contentment of a full tummy. As adults, there are many ways that we can tap into this feeling of joy every day such as making sure we tune in with our spirit, finding great pleasure in our work, getting a sufficient amount of sleep, laughing, resting when needed, spending some quality time alone with ourselves, nourishing our bodies at regular times, feeling grateful for our blessings in life, and giving and receiving love. To deny ourselves of these basic, fundamental joys is to squelch the creative life force right out of ourselves. This is never a good thing, especially if our goal is to improve our writing.

5. Touch Someone By Reaching Out

There is no question that we all thrive on love and there are just so many ways that love can be shown, but by far, I think it is through human touch that we most feel that sense of affection and being deeply cared for. In this age of high speed technology, texting, emails, cell phones and the vastly increasing world of virtual communication, so many people are fast approaching the danger zone of isolation from human, physical contact which is a killer, and as writers, whose work is already mostly solitary, we need to be ever more mindful of reaching out for some of that human touch, both in the giving and receiving of it. Isolation can kill our creativity and it can kill us, from loneliness and depression. We have to be vigilant to connect, connect, connect, not just virtually through our electronic devices, but physically as well…maybe even more so.  To touch someone, (even an animal), to hug them, to hold their hand, or give them a kiss, is win-win. What we give, we get back, and hardly anything can compare to connecting face to face, voice to voice, touch to touch with others. There is nothing like this kind of physical interacting to keep our creativity tank full and overflowing, and it’s one of the many simple ways to improve your writing.

I Love Your Questions

If you have any questions whatsoever or need a hand with anything, feel free to connect with me in the footer below or in the comment section.

Wishing you much love & happy writing!

Heather xo